A WELL TRAVELED HEART

SHALIMAR

Written by

Cynthia M. Sheward

in

My mother's scent was hers alone
familiar from the start just like my own.
Shalimar and lipstick
salt air and steam irons
beige powder dusting her dressing table,
scattered sweaters, a turquoise negligee.

Once, invited to the Waldorf
for a DuPont dinner,
she spent a fortune on a formal dress.
Arrived in lace and pick satin
to face women clad in cocktail clothes.
Edna, ever the Indiana girl.
How many Manhattans did it take to kill 
those feelings?

After her death,
I asked Sister Jose Hobday
“Will I ever smell that scent again -
touch her soft white hair?”
So much of me left with her
I am my mother’s child.

Peaceful in all worlds,
Sister Hobday laid
her hand on mine
and smiled.

Comments

3 responses to “SHALIMAR”

  1. Becky Ross Michael Avatar
    Becky Ross Michael

    Absolutely beautiful. You skillfully capture what it is to understand, remember, and long for someone we love.

    Like

  2. Suze Avatar
    Suze

    Very moving poem about feelings for a Mom. Liked it alot.

    Like

  3. Patricia S Haldeman Avatar
    Patricia S Haldeman

    Your postings always touch my heart, dear sister. Love you!

    On Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 10:54 AM A WELL-TRAVELED HEART wrote:

    > Cynthia M. Sheward posted: “My mother’s scent was hers alone familiar from > the start just like my own. Shalimar and lipstick salt air and steam irons > biege powder dusting her dressing table, scattered sweaters, a turquoise > negligee. Once, invited to the Waldorf for a DuPont dinner,” >

    Like

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